News
Cosmic Matters
UC Berkeley Astronomer Alex Filippenko Reveals Mysteries of Dark Energy and the Runaway Universe
WAIMEA (KAMUELA), HAWAII – The mysterious dark substance that appears to be causing the accelerated expansion of the universe attracted a maximum-capacity crowd to W. M. Keck Observatory’s latest astronomy talk, featuring special guest speaker Dr. Alex Filippenko, Professor of Astronomy at the University of California, Berkeley. More than 500 people attended the free public […]
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Comet Hunters Successfully Observe Wirtanen with Newly Modernized Instrument at W. M. Keck Observatory
NIRSPEC Upgrade Delivers Sharper Views of Comet Wirtanen Maunakea, Hawaii – Astronomers are being treated to an exciting view of Comet 46P/Wirtanen at W. M. Keck Observatory, with sharper-than-ever data images of this icy and rocky space visitor. A group of comet scientists led by Boncho Bonev, Physics Research Assistant Professor at American University, just […]
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Hawaii High School Student Scores Highly-Coveted Telescope Time to Study ‘Tatooine’ at Keck Observatory
Maunakea, Hawaii – The Star Wars universe turned from science fiction to science fact for an Oahu student, who recently observed a real-life ‘Tatooine’ using one of the largest, most scientifically-impactful observatories in the world. On November 19, 2018, from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m., Waipahu High School Senior Laura Daclison performed professional, astronomical observations of […]
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Yale University Astronomer Pieter van Dokkum Shares Ghost Stories of Eerie New Type of Galaxy
WAIMEA (KAMUELA), HAWAII – Mysteries surrounding ghostly galaxies manifested before a theater full of curious minds on Wednesday, November 7, 2018 at a W. M. Keck Observatory Astronomy Talk, featuring special guest speaker Dr. Pieter van Dokkum. The Yale University Sol Goldman Family Professor of Astronomy brought his galaxy ghost busting research to Hawaii Preparatory […]
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Astronomers Find a Cosmic Titan in the Early Universe
Largest Galaxy Proto-Supercluster Found Maunakea, Hawaii – Astronomers at University of Califronia, Davis, are using W. M. Keck Observatory to map out an ancient, titanic structure in the early universe. This galaxy proto-supercluster, nicknamed Hyperion, is the largest and most massive structure yet found at such a remote time and distance. The team that made […]
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W. M. Keck Observatory Awarded NSF Grant to Develop Next-Generation Adaptive Optics System
Maunakea, Hawaii – Nearly two decades after pioneering the technology on large telescopes, W. M. Keck Observatory is once again pushing the boundaries in the field of adaptive optics (AO) after receiving a powerful boost of support. The National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded the Observatory funding through their Mid-Scale Innovations Program to build a […]
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BJ Fulton Wins 2018 Robert J. Trumpler Award for ‘Landmark’ Exoplanet Discovery Using Keck Observatory
Maunakea, Hawaii – W. M. Keck Observatory congratulates Dr. Benjamin J. (“BJ”) Fulton, recipient of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific (ASP) 2018 Robert J. Trumpler Award for an exoplanet phenomenon that is so important, it bears his name, “The Fulton Gap.” “It is an incredible honor to receive this award and I am humbled to […]
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New Keck Observatory Instrument to Zero In On What Is Stunting Galaxy Growth
Do Supermassive Black Holes Kill Star Formation? Keck Cosmic Web Imager To Probe for Key Evidence Maunakea, Hawaii – Astronomers are using a powerful new probe at W. M. Keck Observatory to investigate what’s causing galaxies to stop forming new stars. It’s one of the biggest mysteries in astronomy today and Dr. Alison Coil of […]
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High School Graduate Earns Keck Observatory Time
WAIMEA (KAMUELA), HAWAII – Conducting professional, astronomical observations at a world-class telescope before entering college is almost unheard of. But that’s precisely what Honokaa High School graduate Keilani Steele did, spending observing time at W. M. Keck Observatory through the Maunakea Scholars program. From 12:24 to 2:24 a.m. July 6, Steele used Keck Observatory’s DEIMOS […]
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More Mystery Objects Detected Near Milky Way’s Supermassive Black Hole
Maunakea, Hawaii – Astronomers have discovered several bizarre objects at the Galactic Center that are concealing their true identity behind a smoke screen of dust; they look like gas clouds, but behave like stars. At today’s American Astronomical Society Meeting in Denver, a team of researchers led by UCLA Postdoctoral Scholar Anna Ciurlo announced their […]
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